Incidentally, the typically extensive use of bleach during Passover cleaning fits right in with the internal meaning because cleaning one’s heart is also called “whitening” it. Passover marks the first time when we pass over from a self-centered mindset, otherwise known as “evil inclination,” and achieve the first degree of love of others–a ladder of brotherly love that we climb until we achieve a state known as “love your neighbor as yourself.” Before we come to that first step, we must scrutinize all our desires and thoughts, and avoid using all those that are self-inclined. Cleaning one’s home means cleaning one’s heart from “junk,” namely from bad thoughts about others. A person’s heart is considered one’s home. I’m all for cleanness and getting rid of junk, but the Passover cleaning actually has a far deeper meaning than mere dusting and tidying of basement closets. Since Passover happens in the spring, we often mix between the two and treat the Passover cleaning as a type of “spring cleaning with a Jewish twist.” As part of making the kitchen kosher for Passover, they tend to “seize the moment” (which usually lasts days) and clean the entire house, basement and all, while throwing out junk and tidying up cabinet drawers. Passover cleaning is thorough cleaning that many Jewish families traditionally do right before Passover.
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